Rare H&B block-letter model "S2" bat specially produced for Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Gil Hodges for use during the 1956 World Series. Graded A8 by MEARS, with only one graded at this level and just three graded higher. The bat is stamped "World Series" and "Brooklyn Dodgers 1956" in block letters above and below (respectively) Hodges’ name (last name only) on the barrel. All of the manufacturer's stampings remain distinct and legible, and the bat displays appropriate light use, including a few ball marks, cleat marks, and rack marks. Additionally, an unidentified skipping black line runs along the length of the barrel. Factory records support the fact that Hodges ordered “S2” model bats, measuring 35 inches and weighing 32 ounces, for the 1956 World Series. Players usually received only two bats for World Series use, making each example an event-specific extreme rarity. This is a particularly desirable World Series bat from the Golden Age of 1950s baseball in New York and from one of the great stars of the era. Hodges was the hitting star for the Dodgers in the 1956 World Series, batting .301 with one home run and a team-high 8 RBI in a losing effort against the Yankees. One of the most popular players in Dodgers history, Hodges finished his career with 370 home runs, 1,274 RBI and a .273 lifetime batting average, numbers which continue to earn him support for future election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. World Series bats have long been highly prized by collectors due to both their rarity and inherent provenance, especially those issued to prominent players such as Hodges. Graded A8 by MEARS (5 point base grade, plus 3 points for use and 2 points for its World Series provenance, but minus 2 points for the unidentified black lines along the length of the barrel). This is one of only eight Gil Hodges bats listed in the MEARS census. LOA from Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Reserve $1,000. Estimate $2,000+.